Satellites

This shows the trails of some motes of colour as they emerge from satellites orbiting the members of a binary star.

Each star has sixty satellites. The colour of the motes that a satellite discharges depends on the distance separating that satellite from the star it orbits. Satellites nearest the first star discharge red motes, those further out orange ones, and so on outwards, varying through the spectrum in smooth stages to yellow at the outermost satellites. Satellites nearest the second star discharge azure motes, those further out green ones, and again so on outwards, varying through the spectrum in smooth stages to yellow at the outermost satellites.

The stars draw the motes with forces that diminish with the square of the distance: the first star draws the motes that emerge from satellites orbiting the second star and the second star draws the motes that emerge from satellites orbiting the first star. No other forces act on the motes, but each fades as it moves.

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